The result leaves Olmissum with two points from their opening two matches, following an earlier 1–1 draw against French champions Étoile Lavalloise. Portuguese giants Sporting CP lead Group 3 with six points, while Stalitsa Minsk and Étoile Lavalloise have one point each. With three of the four teams advancing to the knockout stage, the Croatian side remain in a favourable position despite failing to secure their first victory.
The encounter took place against a sombre backdrop, as Omiš observed a day of mourning for six people who died following a devastating fire in the surrounding area in August. The city's flags were lowered to half-mast and entertainment events were postponed in memory of the victims.
Olmissum Establish Early Control Before Belarusian Comeback
Olmissum began confidently and took the lead in the fifth minute through Uroš Đurić, who reacted quickly to a powerful kick-in delivered by David Barbarić from the left. Positioned close to goal, Đurić redirected the ball into the net to give the Croatian side an encouraging start. The hosts continued applying pressure and created further opportunities, demonstrating the attacking confidence that had helped them compete successfully against Étoile Lavalloise in their opening match.
A potentially decisive moment arrived in the 14th minute when Stalitsa player Aliaksandr Umpirovich fouled Ante Kovačević inside the penalty area. The referee awarded Olmissum a penalty and showed the Belarusian player a straight red card, leaving the visitors temporarily disadvantaged. Romeo Sušac stepped forward to take the spot kick, but Stalitsa's goalkeeper anticipated his effort and produced an important save to keep the score at 1–0.
Despite that missed opportunity, Olmissum soon capitalised on their numerical advantage. Duje Kustura provided the assist for Barbarić, who struck a powerful left-footed effort from approximately ten metres to double the hosts' lead. At 2–0, Despotović's team appeared to have established a strong foundation for an important European victory, with the visitors struggling to deal with their attacking movements and defensive pressure.
However, the match changed dramatically after the interval. Stalitsa gradually increased their attacking intensity and reduced the deficit in the 26th minute when Djilerou Yannick Anselme Somplei produced a spectacular volley from a Sergej Lavor kick-in, sending the ball into the net off the crossbar. The goal renewed the visitors' confidence and exposed the difficulty Olmissum were experiencing in maintaining their earlier dominance.
Somplei struck again in the 34th minute, turning sharply near the penalty area before firing a powerful shot from close range to make it 2–2. Just two minutes later, Stalitsa completed the turnaround when Lavor delivered a corner and Andrei Zabolonkov converted to put the Belarusian side 3–2 ahead. What had appeared to be a comfortable evening for the Croatian representatives had suddenly become a desperate struggle to avoid defeat.
Da Costa Scores Twice in Incredible Final 40 Seconds
With three minutes remaining, Despotović made the decision to introduce a flying goalkeeper, sacrificing defensive security in an attempt to create an extra attacking option. The tactical change allowed Olmissum to push more players forward, but it also left their goal exposed whenever Stalitsa regained possession.
The risk almost produced a goal when Josip Juretić found himself with an opportunity to score into an empty net, but his attempt missed the target with less than two minutes remaining. Just seconds later, Stalitsa punished the mistake as Somplei completed his hat-trick to extend the visitors' lead to 4–2. With the match approaching its conclusion, Olmissum appeared to have lost any realistic opportunity of collecting points.
However, Da Costa refused to accept defeat. The Brazilian reduced the deficit to 4–3 with approximately 40 seconds remaining, delivering an important finish that immediately revived the home side's hopes. Olmissum continued pressing and committed everything to their final attacking efforts, knowing that one more goal would completely transform their position in the group.
Just 20 seconds later, Da Costa produced another moment of exceptional skill, beating the Stalitsa goalkeeper with a header to complete an astonishing comeback. His second goal brought the score level at 4–4 and sparked an emotional response inside Ribnjak Sports Hall, where the Croatian players celebrated a point that had appeared impossible moments earlier.
The visitors had little time to respond, and the final whistle confirmed a remarkable draw. Da Costa's double not only rescued Olmissum from defeat but also provided two goals that could prove decisive in the final group standings. The result demonstrated the unpredictable nature of elite futsal, where rapid transitions, tactical adjustments and individual brilliance can transform matches in a matter of seconds.
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Champions League Qualification Remains Within Reach
Although Olmissum missed an excellent opportunity to collect three points, the dramatic draw leaves the Croatian side in a promising position ahead of their final group fixture. Sporting CP have already established themselves as the strongest team in Group 3, securing two victories from their opening two matches, including a convincing 5–1 success against Stalitsa Minsk.
Olmissum will now face Sporting in their final match, while Stalitsa Minsk and Étoile Lavalloise meet in the other decisive encounter. Both fixtures are scheduled for October 31, with the Croatian side facing the Portuguese champions at 8:15 p.m. local time. The earlier meeting between Stalitsa and Étoile Lavalloise could significantly influence Olmissum's qualification prospects.
Crucially, the three highest-placed teams in the group will progress to the Round of 16. Olmissum would therefore advance automatically if either Stalitsa or Étoile Lavalloise wins their final encounter, regardless of the result against Sporting. A draw against the Portuguese side would also guarantee the Croatian club's progression.
However, the situation could become more complicated if Olmissum lose to Sporting and the Belarusian and French representatives draw. In that scenario, three teams would finish level on two points, with head-to-head results and additional UEFA tiebreaking criteria determining which side is eliminated.
Olmissum's 1–1 draw against Étoile Lavalloise and 4–4 result against Stalitsa could prove particularly important in those calculations. The two late goals scored by Da Costa therefore carry significance far beyond the immediate result, potentially making the difference between qualification and elimination.
Olmissum Show Character but Must Improve Defensively
The encounter against Stalitsa demonstrated both Olmissum's attacking potential and the defensive weaknesses that could become costly against stronger opposition. Despotović's players started confidently, created opportunities and established a two-goal advantage, but struggled to maintain control once their opponents increased the pressure.
Conceding four consecutive goals after leading 2–0 will concern the coaching staff, particularly because Olmissum had an opportunity to strengthen their position before the decisive final round. Defensive concentration, managing transitions and maintaining composure under pressure will all require attention ahead of the demanding encounter with Sporting.
Nevertheless, the team's determination during the closing stages deserves recognition. Recovering from a two-goal deficit with only seconds remaining required exceptional belief, quick decision-making and outstanding individual execution. Da Costa's contribution underlined his importance to the squad, while the team's willingness to continue attacking until the final whistle demonstrated the resilience necessary to compete at the European level.
For Croatian futsal, Olmissum's performance also provided another memorable European moment. The team from Omiš have shown that they can compete against established international opponents, even if their first two group-stage matches have ended in draws. Their ability to respond to difficult circumstances will be an important asset as the competition progresses.
Olmissum's extraordinary 4–4 draw against Stalitsa Minsk may ultimately prove to be one of the defining moments of their Champions League campaign. Da Costa's two goals in the final 40 seconds rescued a point that seemed lost and significantly strengthened the club's chances of reaching the Round of 16. With qualification still within reach, the Croatian representatives now have an opportunity to turn their dramatic escape into another important achievement for futsal in Omiš.
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